Friday, 28 September 2012

Welcome everyone, please come on in and help yourself to some of the goodies on offer. I would give you all real cake if I could but this way at least you can try everything and not put on an ounce!

Yummy cupcakes

Seriously though, today is all about spreading the word about Macmillan Cancer Support. Please click HERE to find out more.As I said earlier in the week there can be few who have not at some point been affected by cancer. A family member, friend, work colleague or even yourself. Thankfully there are more and more forms of cancer that can be successfully treated but so much of the support and research could not continue without donations. If you would like to make a donation go HERE for details.

Strawberry donuts and rocky road muffins

Cookies anyone?

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer about ten years ago. She underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a mastectomy. The treatment took it's toll on her, she lost her hair and wore a wig. Not for herself so much as for her grandchildren who were all quite young at the time. I can remember the day wearing it became too much for her. It made her head hot and itchy. She throw the wig across the room. The children didn't bat an eyelid and she rarely wore it after that!About a year later we were given the news that she appeared to have beaten the illness. Naturally this was wonderful . Sadly within a few months she suffered a massive stroke that has left her entirely dependent on others now. But that is another story.I don't want today to be about sadness I want it to be about positivity. I strongly believe that a positive attitude helps. Lets celebrate the survivors and remember friends and loved ones we have lost with love.Thank you for taking the time to visit and spend a few moments of contemplation. Please feel free to leave a comment, or dedication to a loved one or maybe you would like to post on your own blog and add a link in the comments below.Hope you all have a weekend filled with love and happiness.

Sunday, 23 September 2012

I've decided to host a virtual coffee morning! Many of you in the UK will already know that next Friday, the 28th September, Macmillan Cancer Support are holding their Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning. The World's Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support's biggest fundraising event. Find out more here. I am helping at a 'real' event at school and will be adding my own donations but I thought I could maybe raise a little more money and promote awareness of this wonderful charity by hosting my own virtual event. I imagine there are very few people who have not been affected by cancer in some way. It can strike anytime anywhere. Macmillan offer an invaluable service, supporting and offering care and advice to patients, family and friends. So, my plan is to post next Friday probably sharing a little of my experiences along the way. Anyone who would like to visit and leave a comment would be more than welcome. Maybe you would like to post a dedication or memory on your own blog and leave a link in the comments here so we can share our stories. Sadly I can't offer real coffee and cake but there will be a selection of virtual products to enjoy and it has the added benefit of far less calories!Hopefully see some of your next Friday.

Friday, 14 September 2012

I have some exciting news I just have to share. I was delighted to hear recently that I had been shortlisted, along with 15 other entries, for the international Yeovil Prize in the short story category. The final results were published today and I was awarded a COMMENDED. This is my first major placing in a competition and I am very happy. It is a massive boast to your confidence to know that your work is good enough to catch the judges eye. There were 386 entries received in the short story category in total. For more details go here or here. I'm off to celebrate and bask in a warm glow for a while. Have a great weekend everyone.

Sunday, 9 September 2012

I've had a busy week back at school and already the summer break is receding into the dim and distant past. Why is it the sun starts to shine for several days at a time the minute school restarts? Saturday got off to a great start with an impromptu breakfast in the local park. It was glorious, warm and sunny. Even though it was quite early there were plenty of people out enjoying the late summer sunshine. I meet this guy whilst I was there too! They look so much bigger out the water.

Today, Sunday, has been a totally different day. We went for a walk and there was more than a hint of Autumn in the air. It was cooler and the sky a blanket of grey cloud. Walking under the trees you couldn't fail to notice the leaves which were beginning to turn brown and fall.

It really does feel like this weekend was a meeting of the seasons. Did anyone else notice this? Maybe it's just another of the idiosyncrasies of the British climate.

Saturday, 1 September 2012

Welcome September and happy birthday to all those celebrating this month. I have updated the sidebar with details of this months gorgeous birthstone, the sapphire.The Gregorian Poem, by an unknown author was first published in 1870 by Tiffany & Co. in a pamphlet promoting their jewellery. The verse for this month reads;

A maiden born when autumn
leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.

I have also added an extract from my Birthstone Unicorn Series so click on the link or tab above to meet Sapphire the unicorn.

About Me

Writer, unicorn lover and purple obsessive! I mainly write series fiction for 5+ and stories for 8-12 years. I have been known to dabble in other genres too when the muse strikes. Short listed in 2012 for Yeovil Literary Prize short story competition. Click on My Writing tab above for lots more info on my work.